The city of Laval outside of Montreal just hosted the Grafik’Art 2006 trade show that catered to the offset, digital and screen printing industries as well as the flexo, packaging and graphic arts industries. The show was held April 27-29, 2006 and exhibitors showed their newest products and services on more than 70 000 square feet of showroom floor. This show targeted clientele from Eastern Canada (Quebec, the Maritimes, and Eastern Ontario). The graphics industry in these regions represents approximately $5 billion dollars in sales annually.

One thing that impressed me was the increased presence of wide format printers that seemed to be everywhere. Many traditional offset printing companies are seeing the enormous potential that this wide-format printing industry has. One need only look around, both indoors and outdoors, to see that wide format printing is everywhere. There are huge opportunities to create additional revenue for anyone with a wide format printer.

The worldwide signage industry earns well over $29 billion US in business each year – and revenues continue to grow. Given the many different types of signs and banners a large format printer can produce, print providers can seize a sizeable chunk of this business.

The large format digital printing market is a large and exciting opportunity, growing at double the pace of the overall print industry.

Whether you have an aqueous, solvent or UV curable printer, these printers are capable of producing:

• Indoor and outdoor banners
• Trade show exhibits
• Backlit signage
• Posters
• Large format photographic reproduction
• Decals and pressure sensitive stickers
• Floor Graphics
• Window graphics
• Vehicle graphics and more

Aqueous inkjet printing

Large format aqueous inkjet printers are the most common printers available on the market today. Their name reflects the fact that water is the primary “carrier” component of ink used in these printers. The Canon W8400 44” pigmented ink printer was represented at the show by RB Digital and PMP Repro Media. The vibrant colors that came off the printer in record speed instantly drew the crowds. The Canon W8400 sells for around $7,500 and comes with software RIP, various other software and an Ethernet card. The brand new Xerox 8160 60” dye based ink printer was presented at the show for the first time in Quebec and will sell for around $25,000 (RIP sold separately).

Solvent inkjet printing

Solvent inks are a versatile, long-life ink that are classified as hazardous, yet milder versions are available that produce less noxious odors. Since solvent-based inks are classified as hazardous, special venting will need to be installed. Eco or mild solvent-based inks are less hazardous but may not be a durable as true solvent inks. The Mutoh Toucan LT was on display with both Treck Hall and Ernest Green. The Mutoh Toucan LT sells for around $40,000, and can now be ordered with a board printer as well, although the boards must be of a special type to work in the printer.

One of the biggest printers on the show floor had to be Canada’s own Gandinnovations, with their Jeti inkjet printers. Visitors crowded to see huge posters coming off their three meter wide Roll fed printers.

Seiko’s Color painter now with its HP patch on it (now called the HP Designjet 8000s and 9000s series) was there as well. This solvent printer from Seiko has always impressed me. You can create long-lasting outdoor signage with this fast solvent printer. This 64” model is an excellent tool to boost production and profitability: increase your print volume, improve your services, and reduce your costs. Like any solvent printer, you’ll want to vent the fumes properly. This is an industrial type of printer with excellent outdoor durability.

UV-based flatbed printers

The other emerging category of wide format inkjet technology is UV-curable inkjet. With UV-based flatbed printers the drying mechanism for the ink is completely different then that used in solvent inkjet printing. When ultra-violet light hits curable liquid ink, it transforms from a liquid to a solid on the substrate chosen. These new UV printers can range in price from about $75,000 to $500,000 and more.

ND Graphics was showing the new Gerber Solara UV2 large format, hybrid, ultraviolet (UV) inkjet printer. The SOLARA UV2 prints either roll-to-roll or as a flatbed and can accommodate a variety of materials up to 60” wide including rigid materials up to 1/2” thick. There is a conversion process required to accept different material types. SOLARA UV2 is ideal for shops specializing in durable outdoor/indoor signs, point-of-purchase displays, banners, and backlit signage. They produce prints that are instantly dry and ready to cut and apply. The unique properties of the UV inks allow easy maintenance with low odor, no ventilation requirements, or harmful VOCs.

Peter Dulis
Wide Format Printing Specialist
647-895-3315pdulis@iprimus.ca